Description

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt Surgery is a procedure to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected in the brain’s ventricles and relieve pressure on the brain due to fluid accumulation.

The procedure is performed when there is too much pressure in the brain caused due to CSF accumulation, a medical condition called hydrocephalus. It mostly occurs in babies and older adults.

Normally, cerebrospinal fluid flows through the ventricles of the brain, thereby immersing the brain and spinal cord in it and eventually gets absorbed in the blood. When this normal flow is disrupted, it causes fluid accumulation and puts harmful pressure on brain tissues. VP Shunt drains fluid from the brain to other parts of the body where the fluid is absorbed.

Indications

The surgery is recommended to patients with swelling, cysts, tumors, or inflammation in the brain due to excess buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. Excess fluid occurs mainly due to

Excess production of CSF

Inability of blood vessels to absorb the fluid

Blockages that restrict the flow of the fluid

Common indications include visible increase in the size of head, frequent headaches and seizures, poor appetite, loss in memory and poor co-ordination between thoughts and actions.

Pre-procedure

The surgeon will instruct to

Conduct imaging tests of the brain like CT Scan and MRI to determine the exact location of excess fluid

Stop blood thinners, at least 10 days before the procedure

Fast for 6 hours prior to the procedure

During Procedure

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia by an experienced neursurgeon, and generally takes around 90 minutes.

During the surgery, the surgeon will

Put a small cut behind the ear and another in the belly, after administering the anasthesia.

Drill a small hole in the skull and pass a catheter into a ventricle of the brain.

Another catheter is placed under the skin behind the ear and is made to travel to the chest and abdomen.

A pump (valve) which is attached to both catheters is placed behind the ear.

When the pressure in the skull increases, this pump will help automatically remove the fluid into the belly area.

Post Procedure

After the procedure is complete, the patient may be required to stay in the hospital to upto a week. The doctor and his team closely monitors the patient's vitals.

The patient is taught how to take care of the shunt at home and how to prevent any infection from developing.

In babies, the shunt has to be replaced after 2 years while in older adults, it has to be replaced after 8 years.

Risk and Complications

VP Shunt Surgery might have the following risks and complications:

Leakage of the fluid under the skin

Bowel perforation (holes in the intestines)

Shunt blockage

Bleeding, swelling or blood clot in the brain

​Malfunction of the shunt may cause fever, frequent headache, fatigue and infection.

More Info

If you have any additional questions, talk to our in-house doctors. Call 1800-1022-733 (toll free).

book appointment with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Have you visited hospital before?

NoYes

Gender

MaleFemale

GET COST ESTIMATE with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Disclaimer - Results may vary from person to person.

India Health Help is a holistic medical tourism platform that offers to patients from around the world a chance to access some of best medical services in India. With access to the best hospitals, diagnostic centres, multi-speciality facilities and super-specialist medical expertise, we channel the right patient to the right medical solution for quick, effective and affordable recovery.